Hurricane Frances looking bad

[Feralpeg]

For those of you planning to visit Florida this weekend, the latest projected path for Frances has it coming ashore near Kennedy Space Center and tracking over Orlando. This is a category 4 storm that is still gaining strength. They are telling everyone here to prepare for a storm stronger than Charley. This is particularly bad news since there are still so many homes here that have not been repaired since Charley. There are still huge piles of tree limbs waiting to be picked up. These could become deadly projectiles in another storm. The city is trying to clean up as quickly as possible, but they probably won't finish before this weekend. They are trying to clean the mess left by Charley from the sewer system to prevent flooding in the next storm. People are scrambling for generators. There are no flashlight batteries available anywhere.

If it makes landfall at the cape, Orlando can expect 100 mph winds. If it should make landfall a little further north near Jacksonville, Orlando can expect 80 mph winds. Unless Frances turns out to sea, it looks like we are in for it.

If you are planning on flying in, please check conditions prior. Send some good vibes our way!

 

[Charlotte D]

Hi there thanks for that latest report my family and i are due to land at sanford on saturday afternoon from london. we had better prepare for some long delays then.

 

[AlanUK]

I've already posted this on my thread on the CB but I'll post it here as well in case some people miss it.

The weather models have this morning moved the predicted track for Frances back to the west and it is now looking like a mid Florida landfall. As we get closer to 0 hours the models become more accurate so this is not good news.

Also Frances is predicted to slow down as it get closer to landfall, this is also bad news as it increases the amount of damage the hurricane will cause.

The images on this thread show the up to date predictions.

 

[pauldolling]

Alan,

I agree this is not looking good at all. This prediction is looking very bad, I just hope it can still change. This hurricane looks to be more powerful than hurricane charley. I am due to arrive at around 3.00pm local time on saturday, but I doubt very much if I will get there until atleast monday now, if at all. Not good.

 

[Nordicpollan]

We are off to London on Friday ready for our flight out to WDW on Saturday, Dodgy Rellys an all!!!!

Now it seems Frances wishes to welcome us too!!!!!!!!!!!
Rang First Choice and was told to check in as normal and they will keep every one informed if there is a problem. Will be flying into Sanford which the lovely lady at F/C said had had no problems with Charlie.

Lets hope Frances reads this and goes off to sea

Karen

3 sleeps to Disney

 

[Charlotte D]

My family and I are to sanford on saturday as well with britinnia airways, just be prepared for some long delays i think we might have some. keep fingers crossed it doesnt hit orlando hard.

 

[KayleeUK]

Just merging all of the Frances threads together here on the Trip Planning Board

 

[currycook]

There is a good thread over on the community board with lots of good info on Frances. RIght now it does not look good for Orlando but these Hurricanes have a mind of their own as Hurricane Charlie just proved, so who knows. Lets hope and pray for the best.

 

[currycook]

Still looking bad in the latest report that has just come out.

 

[pauldolling]

Originally posted by currycook
Still looking bad in the latest report that has just come out.

I agree, I am pretty sure that any of us that are due to fly this weekend won't be. I think the absolute earliest we will be able to fly into orlando will be Monday, maybe later. That is unless Frances changes course. I think it is now looking too late for it to miss Florida and Orlando now.

 

[AlanUK]

I've updated the thread on the CB again this morning. The images that have been already posted in this thread will automatically update and display the latest weather model information and NHC Traking information.

No announcements from Disney about park closing or any of the long haul airlines on flight schedules as of yet but I would expect to see them as early as this afternoon.

Alan.

 

[RUSHBURY]

I was talking to a friend in Orlando last night and they have no schools today and tomorrow because of the threat of Frances. I hope it moves out to sea and leaves Florida alone the devastation from Charley was so bad for a lot of people.

 

[SimonV]

I was in touch with Sanford Airport yesterday (Weds) and was told they had a meeting at 4pm their time to discuss the possibilities. They expect to make a decision Thursday morning (US time) about whether they close or not. Obviously if they do, all flights to Sanford will be postponed. Seeing as they are charter flights, they will not divert to other airports but remain in the UK awaiting clearance that its safe to fly again. This could mean some substantial delays and I would urge anyone due to fly in the next 3 days to call their airline BEFORE setting off for the airport. It's a horrible situation, I'm afraid (and quite unprecedented in recent history), but it is far worse for the people already there, or who are having to evacuate their homes

 

[SimonV]

I've just heard now from Travel City Direct (as I was due to fly with them, using First Choice, on Saturday ) and they have been advised that Orlando Sanford is planning to CLOSE Saturday AND Sunday as the storm heads right through central Florida. TCD are currently checking to see if there is a chance of diverting flights elsewhere in Florida (they have suggested Orlando International, although I think that may be a bit optimistic in the circumstances) but I think it is going to be a wait-and-see scenario for the next 24 hours

I am so sorry for all those people due to fly this weekend, and my heart goes out to the couple who ae due to be flying on honeymoon. But please bear with the tour operators as they try to deal with this situation. It is totally unprecedented in Florida's recent history (in fact, going back more than 100 years) and there is going to be a lot of confusion and chaos, especially for the people over there I would caution being prepared for long delays and to keep your patience about you at all times.

Good luck folks....

Simon

 

[pauldolling]

Originally posted by SimonV
I was in touch with Sanford Airport yesterday (Weds) and was told they had a meeting at 4pm their time to discuss the possibilities. They expect to make a decision Thursday morning (US time) about whether they close or not. Obviously if they do, all flights to Sanford will be postponed. Seeing as they are charter flights, they will not divert to other airports but remain in the UK awaiting clearance that its safe to fly again. This could mean some substantial delays and I would urge anyone due to fly in the next 3 days to call their airline BEFORE setting off for the airport. It's a horrible situation, I'm afraid (and quite unprecedented in recent history), but it is far worse for the people already there, or who are having to evacuate their homes

I just spoke to Brittania who we are flying with and they stated that if the Sanford and Orlando close, they will fly to the nearest US airport that is open.

 

[AlanUK]

Latest update from Virgin now on their website

Virgin Atlantic continues to monitor Hurricane Frances closely. Currently the exact path of the hurricane remains uncertain, as yet there are several directions the hurricane could follow.

Customers due to travel with us to or from Miami and Orlando over the coming weekend should proceed with travel arrangements as scheduled until further information becomes available.

Last update: 2 September 2004 09:15

Alan.

 

[pauldolling]

Thompson have just informed me that my holiday has been cancelled and I will receive a full refund. I now just have to find somewhere else to go on my holiday
I was due to fly out on Saturday and have they told me they were cancelling all Brittania flights to Sanford and they weren't confident about rescheduling the holiday for monday onwards due to the impending sever damage to the Orlando area
This has shocked for me and my prayers now go out to all the people in Florida. I hope you all keep safe and it all turns out ok.

 

[AlanUK]

Sorry to hear about your holiday Paul

Is there no chance that you can change your holiday and re-book it for a later date?? I can't think of anywhere I would change a WDW holiday for.

There is still a possibility that the main part of Frances will stay South of Orlando, the weather models have been moving it this way in all the recent runs

Wherever it hits I hope the folks over there are well prepeared and stay safe whilst Frances passes.

Alan.

 

[Nordicpollan]

We were due to fly out on Saturday too, just spoke to First Choice and they have cancelled all flights for Friday and Saturday. They have booked us onto a flight for Monday 6 Sept.

We are lucky enough to be going for 3 weeks so its not eating into our holiday too much. I would rather be here for an extra 2 days than caught up in it all.

Still hoping it goes off into the sea

Karen

 

[bubblefactory]

Latest from Virgin

Virgin Holidays continues to monitor Hurricane Frances closely, taking proactive measures for any customers that could be affected. Currently the exact path of the hurricane is uncertain, however weather and hurricane reports strongly indicate that it is tracking towards the US State of Florida, specifically the East Coast.

Customers staying in Turks and Caicos were evacuated to Miami and the hurricane has now passed Turks and Caicos with very little impact. The Bahamas have not been put on mandatory evacuation, however customers have been given the option to leave. Those customers that have chosen to stay have been moved to larger hotels with very strong hurricane procedures, namely Sandals and the Atlantis.

Any Virgin Holidays customers due to travel to Bahamas in the next 24 hours will remain in Miami until the hurricane has passed or offered cancellation at nil charges.

Florida is being monitored extremely closely and a hurricane and tropical storm warning remains in affect for the whole of the East Coast of Florida. Miami, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and the Upper Florida Keys have all been put on mandatory evacuation and Virgin Holidays customers have all bee moved to St Petes. Orlando is fully preparing themselves for the likely affects of Hurricane Frances. A number of hotels are beginning to evacuate and customers are being given full assistance, support and directed to shelters where necessary. Staff in the area are highly trained and working closely with local authorities and hotels to ensure the safety of Virgin Holidays customers is the main priority.

Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Orlando have now been cancelled Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Any customers affected by these cancellations will be offered full refunds, or we will seek to be as flexible as possible in making alternative holiday arrangements. Alternatively the option to hold monies for a future Virgin Holiday can be arranged. Miami flights are currently planned as scheduled, however a decision will be made on these flights 14:15 Florida local time.

Customers due to travel to the Bahamas or Florida in the next 3 days should call the dedicated helpline for regular updated information on 0870 990 4200.

A further update will be issued as soon as more information becomes available.

2nd September 2004, 17:40 hours